Posted on 02/25/2008 2:17:11 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
ROCKY RIVER, Ohio - John McCain said Monday that to win the White House he must convince a war-weary country that U.S. policy in Iraq is succeeding. If he can't, "then I lose. I lose," the Republican said. He quickly backed off that remark.
"Let me not put it that stark," the likely GOP nominee told reporters on his campaign bus. "Let me just put it this way: Americans will judge my candidacy first and foremost on how they believe I can lead the county both from our economy and for national security. Obviously, Iraq will play a role in their judgment of my ability to handle national security."
"If I may, I'd like to retract 'I'll lose.' But I don't think there's any doubt that how they judge Iraq will have a direct relation to their judgment of me, my support of the surge," McCain added. "Clearly, I am tied to it to a large degree."
The five-year-old Iraq conflict already is emerging as a fault line in the general election, with the Arizona senator calling for the U.S. military to continue its mission while his Democratic opponents urge speedy withdrawal.
While most Republicans still back the war, many independents and Democrats don't. That presents a significant challenge for McCain and an opportunity for either Barack Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton.
McCain acknowledged the war will be "a significant factor in how the American people judge my candidacy."
The lead Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, McCain has consistently backed the war although he's long criticized the way it was waged after the Saddam Hussein's fall. He was an original proponent of President Bush's troop-increase strategy, having called for more forces on the ground for several years. Last spring, McCain went all in on the war by embracing it as Bush took heat for boosting troop levels to quell violence.
"We can fail in Iraq," McCain said Monday in an Associated Press interview. But, he added: "I see a clear path to success in Iraq." He defined that as fewer casualties and Iraqi troops taking over security to allow U.S. forces to return home. "All of us want out of Iraq, the question is how do we want out of Iraq," he added.
McCain has signaled that he plans to make Iraq and national security a major part of his general election campaign. Daily, he accuses both Obama and Clinton as wanting to "wave the white flag of surrender." Democrats, for their part, are arguing that McCain's candidacy is simply a continuation of Bush's "failed" policies. They have seized on a previous McCain remark in which he suggested that U.S. troop presence — at some level — could extend 100 years or more.
At a town hall-style meeting in suburban Cleveland, McCain accused Democrats of distorting that comment and sought to explain. "The war will be over soon, the war for all intents and purposes, although the insurgency will go on for years and years and years. But it will be handled by the Iraqis, not by us," he said. Like after other wars, he said, the United States then will decide "what kind of security arrangement we want to have with the Iraqis."
While McCain attracts voters across the political spectrum, he is sure to face resistance this fall for his Iraq position in Ohio and other swing states that have seen high numbers of residents die in Iraq.
Over the next eight months, McCain said he would take the same approach when discussing Iraq that he's taken all year as he won primary after primary on his way to securing the GOP nomination.
Speaking to reporters on his bus, he said he would "tell them that I understand their frustration and their sorrow over the sacrifice that has been made and then I try to explain to them what's at stake and what's going on there now. And that's the best I can do."
McCain said his candidacy will be successful "if I can convince the American people, the people of Ohio, that this is succeeding, that the casualties will continue down, although there are occasional spikes."
"So I have to, and I believe can, make an argument that the surge is succeeding, that we will end this war and have the Iraqis take over those responsibilities as we more and more assume support roles and then withdraw," he added.
McCain recalled reading a USA Today poll that he said showed most people believe the troop-increase strategy is succeeding, and said: "Now, still the majority of Americans want out of Iraq. And, I understand that, too. So do I."
The survey actually found that 43 percent — not a majority — said the troop increase is "making the situation there better," up from 22 percent in July.
Asked why he asked to retract the "I lose" remark, McCain said much else could impact his chances.
"We've got many months to go before the general election," he said. "But is Iraq an important part of the judgment that people will make of me, of course."
“Senator McCain. Please step aside and let others lead.”
Nothing like talking about how he will lose! Huckabee is looking better the more McCain opens his mouth. SAD!
McCain will lose because he will throw the election. Just like Bob Dole did in 1996.
blah blah blah...
I came home to a recording from mccanniac last week - claiming he was a Reagan R. Today I came home to one from Gov Perry - claiming the same thing. Who are they trying to kid!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Now, now, lormand!! Watch the language!!
Eggxactly right, nmh!
The war is a “no win” for McCain, because Bush won’t end it and because McCain has said we’ll be there with troops “...for 100 years”. How could ANYone vote for such idiocy? In the first place, the war is bankrupting the country. This thing cannot go on. It’s a financial thin as much as a moral one.
But the Invasion by Mexico to the tune of 5,000-10,000 a day continues unabated and McCain obviously won’t do anything to stop it or to deport the 40 million already here.
“In the first place, the war is bankrupting the country.”
How so? What percentage of GDP is spent on military in the United States and which candidate do you feel will slash our military budget the most?
“This thing cannot go on. It’s a financial thin as much as a moral one.”
What is immoral about our continued commitment to Iraq?
NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). Jan. 20-22, 2008. N=1,008 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.1.
. "Let me list some issues that have been proposed for the federal government to address. Please tell me which one of these items you think should be the top priority for the federal government. [See below.]" If more than one: "Well, if you had to choose just one, which do you think should be the top priority?"
. Job creation and economic growth 26 %
The war in Iraq 17
Health care 17
Terrorism 10
Illegal immigration 10
Energy and the cost of gas 7
The environment and global warming 6
Foreign policy and Iran 5
While I agree McCain should push for domestic energy production and nuclear power, he is very close when he says the Iraq war is the big issue. It is #2 in every poll taken in the last 6 months. You can see #1. Immigration is bottom 5.
He’s worried about it because it is not a strong issue for him in the general. The war, no matter how “rah rah” Repubs are over it, is NOT a popular issue over all.
You are correct sir.
There is one simple fact. If Folded Bones McCain was to simply say look, we are throwing all we have at those pissant terroristes and we will not repeat we will not come home until the job is done GET”R DUN, and that may take a thousand years or ten million, so suck it peacenicks!
He would thereby win the election.
But he will win it anyway, and that is what must be faced. American will not vote for a Socialist no matter what color. Red, whatever.
YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!! McCain, “modern”? NOT!!
Sure, he is. At least he says he is, even if he couldn't answer the question put to him.
If you believe Jack Kemp, Phil Gramm, Warren Rudman, Pete Peterson and the Concord Coalition combined will save his (and our) bacon, there's this bridge that's for sale cheap back on the east coast . . .
You have pretty well summed it up, blackelkspeaks, as much as I'd like to believe otherwise.
Other than support for worldwide military adventurism, which all but one of the Republican candidates shared, there's not a whole lot of McCain's positions that strike a chord with most of us on Free Republic. I know it's a bit troubling for FReepers to know they are out-of-step with "modern Republicanism," but if the shoe fits . . .
Nah, it will be his Howard Dean moment .... yeaaaaaah!
BTW, welcome to FreeRepublic.
Iraq isn’t the biggest issue. He has the WOT right - the only thing I can say about him.
People vote their pocketbooks. I think the economy is the biggest issue, followed by immigration/WOT. At least to the people who used to be called “the base”, but now are called “expendable”.
Health care is another subject I leave for others. Let me say this: health care costs have increased as the Government pays the bill which puts a straitjacket on market forces.
Btw, I like your name. Black Elk Speaks is a beautiful book.
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